Free Xbox 360 w/Windows 7 PC purchase of $699 for students

[digitalbabe]

Per Venture Beat:

Great news for college students (and perhaps not so great news for parents): Microsoft announced today that it will offer a free Xbox 360 with 4 gigabytes of storage (a $199 value) to any student who purchases a Windows 7 computer for $699 or more.

It’s a smooth move for Microsoft, since it gets Xbox 360s into even more dorm rooms, gives students one more reason to go with a Windows PC instead of a Mac, and is a great way to get rid of its low-end Xbox 360 stock (the 4GB unit doesn’t come with a hard drive).

Even better, Microsoft is allowing students to purchase any Windows 7 PC over $699 — though it recommends a few specific models like the sexy Samsung Series 9 ultraportable.

Apple has offered students similar deals in the past by offering them a free iPod Touch. But by offering students a free Xbox 360, Microsoft will also ensure that it has a presence on their televisions. At this point, the Xbox 360 is more than just a game console — it’s an entertainment centerpiece thanks to its support for Netflix, Last.FM, and Microsoft’s Zune Market.

Students can take advantage of the deal by purchasing a PC in online stores including Dell, HP and Microsoft’s with their .edu school email address. Additionally, students can bring their school ID to Best Buy or a Microsoft Store to purchase their computers in person.

The offer will be available from May 23 to September 9 — which should give students plenty of time to pick their preferred computers. I also suggest students check in with their schools to see if they offer additional discounts on Windows 7 PCs. Most higher education IT departments offer discounts on computer hardware and software.

 

[Horhay]

Not bad, many students will probably get a PC regardless so not a bad incentive.

 

[digitalbabe]

Yeah, not to mention that the margin comes from the sale of games, not consoles. Once the console is in the homes, game sales & accessories will likely follow. Interesting move by MS...

 

[surfury]

Why do they never do offers like this in UK ? As db says games are where the margins are, and they need to kick Sony and the PS3 while it's down so would be good idea to do this worldwide.

 

[digitalbabe]

Surfury-I am not a gamer. But it may be a test in a market where they have the largest piece of the gaming pie (US?) or they're simply testing the waters to see how successful it is, because rolling it out to the whole world. I am sure it takes a certain amount of money and staff, and follow up to administer the program and measure its effectiveness.

 

[Horhay]

Yeah, not to mention that the margin comes from the sale of games, not consoles. Once the console is in the homes, game sales & accessories will likely follow. Interesting move by MS...

Why do they never do offers like this in UK ? As db says games are where the margins are, and they need to kick Sony and the PS3 while it's down so would be good idea to do this worldwide.

Yup, now that M$ has figured out a way to lower the price of their hardware they can hand it out like hotcakes. Good move while competitor is being dumb.

 

[digitalbabe]

Sony has given away its PS3 in various TV bundles, but I believe you always, or at least most of the time, had to buy a TV from Sony (of course). The average TV from Sony is priced higher than a $699 Windows PC, and the PC/XBOX deal offers a chance to offer a tech solution for two different "needs" in one households. But...I wouldn't be surprised, if we soon hear Sony giving out its PS3's with Sony PC's to do the same. I am not even a gamer, but I am still in awe at how far the Xbox brand has come. Years ago, I was on the phone via our own company with the main manufacturer of the original Xbox in Mexico, when they were scrambling to find as many retailers and distributors to get them into homes. The console wars rage on, be interesting to see what Sony PS4 has up its sleeve...

 

[Horhay]

Sony PCs are usually much higher than $699

 

[digitalbabe]

Yeah I know, but I'm guessing they'll at least follow suit. Sony customers are almost as fanatical as Apple customers, so price may be less of a consideration...edit-and their laptop prices have come down from the initial Vaio launch days. I just looked and there are a few that are sub $700 around...

 

[surfury]

This is slightly OT (but still 360 related) but something else to ponder on, Kinect has now taken off and by using the SDK on Windows 7 as a motion capture device, its use can be extended beyond the mere functionality of a new generation gaming controller. (My youngest son works in that line of business and had been using the SDK in an educational capacity, cannot really say more).

Sony will tell you otherwise but by comparison sales of Playstation Move are poor, certainly not up to expectation and it's market penetration is much lower against established market than that of Kinect. Kinect isn't perfect, very little is in it's first iteration but it won't take much and will push it waaay beyond use as a simple gaming interface into use within other business apps, crossing the border between a simple gaming console and a more complicated and more powerful PC. This is an avenue and revenue resource MS definitely needs to pursue. By combining the 2 (360 & Windows 7) in this promotion I can certainly see one of the directions it wants it to go.

 

[ROADKILL31]

This is slightly OT (but still 360 related) but something else to ponder on, Kinect has now taken off and by using the SDK on Windows 7 as a motion capture device, its use can be extended beyond the mere functionality of a new generation gaming controller. (My youngest son works in that line of business and had been using the SDK in an educational capacity, cannot really say more).

Sony will tell you otherwise but by comparison sales of Playstation Move are poor, certainly not up to expectation and it's market penetration is much lower against established market than that of Kinect. Kinect isn't perfect, very little is in it's first iteration but it won't take much and will push it waaay beyond use as a simple gaming interface into use within other business apps, crossing the border between a simple gaming console and a more complicated and more powerful PC. This is an avenue and revenue resource MS definitely needs to pursue. By combining the 2 (360 & Windows 7) in this promotion I can certainly see one of the directions it wants it to go.

8 million moves vs 10 million kinect.... i would not call that poor